Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-01-25

the present attitude wns continued,
liable to lead TO discomfort which might
ripen into evaporation, and this into
open hostility. II was, therefore, OF
great Importance that at the threshold
the Senate should understand whether
the bill was intended az n pacific or as a
hostile measure. He quoted some sen
fences from the report OF the Committee
on Foreign Relations, and remarked that
the countries had been inundated with
blood on less provocation. The con-
duct of the Dominion aud of Great
Britain according to this report was
sufficient to justify and warrant decls-
ration of war on the part of the United
States. II was violation Of not only
treaty rights guaranteed by repeat
ed Conventions, but it showed the
purpose on the part of the Government
of Canada and her Maiesty's Govern
ment to harass and annoy and destroy
the American fishing interests simply
for the purpose either Of private gain
or Of some public advantage. 1t APP
peared to him that, in view of these grave
allegations and of the irritation and dis
content known to exist between the two
countries, the reporting of measures
which authorized the President to enter
simply on a process Of retaliation, vas
hardly consistent with the gravity of
the situation. II was dangerous
course TO authorize the President 10
continue in the same line of conduct
and policy, with the inevitable result
either Of finally negotiating for the
purpose Of settling these questions or
else going TO war in defence Of the rights
under the treaty of 1918. He thought
il would be better and more in accord
ance with the dignity of the subject
and with the morality which ought TO
prevail among the nations as among
men TO declare as the conviction OF the
Senate that the relations between the
two powers are such as to require ne
gotiations, and that there should be an
authority not 10 issue letters OF marquc
and rcprisal, but 10 select "A commission
TO consider the subject and, if possible,
10 reach some basis of on understand
ing between Great Britain, Canada, and
the United States in regard to the fish
cries.
Mr.. Frye made a very impassioned
speech, charging the Canadian au-
thorities with outrages and inhumani-
ties that would have disgraccd Fiji
Islanders, and declaring that the pur
pose Of the proposed legislation was to
notify the Government of Great Britain |
that continuance of such course must
be at their peril He intimated plainly |
that the proposed legislation was de-
sired by the President and members of
his Cabinet.
Mr. Ingalls, accepted Mr.. Frye's in
depreciation OF the bill as a correct one. |
1t meant war, although Mr.. Edmunds |
denied that it necessarily did SO mean.
He expressed his pleasure at hearing |
Mr.. Fryes Interpretation of the bill; |
that it was a declaration to Great |
Britain recognizing her agency in the |
matter and notifying her that she Will |
continue in it at her peril.
Mr.. HOar declared il TO be his opinion |
that the proceedings of the Canadian |
authorizes in this matter were under
taken for the purpose of interfering |
with a matter which is purely of our
own domestic concern. 1t was not that
Canada might catch fish without moles-
tatiOn. 1t was that she might sell fish
without the interference OF the Ameri
can tariff policy. He regarded this at
tempt by a foreign Power to en-
force upon us against our will a
certain domestic policy as one Of
the most emphatic and fragrant
acts of hostility that could be com
mitted short of actual war. He did
not understand, however with the Sen
atOr from Kansas, that the object OF
this measure was to bring about either
war or further diplomacy. 1t was
merely saying TO the British Govern
ment and the Dominion of Canada that
so long as they attempted to interfere
with cur domestic arrangements III this
way so long they should not be per
mitted 20 sell their fish or other pro
ducts in American markets at all.
The discussion was continued at
length by Messrs. Morgan, Coke, Ed
Hale, Vest, and Riddleberger.
An amendment offered by Mr.. Vest
for the appointment of a commission to
take testimony in regard to injuries and
losses inflicted by British authorities
upon American fishermen WAS lost
yeas, II nays, -.
The bill was then passnd--yeas, 46
nays, (Riddleberger).
The bill as passed IS the same as
recently. with onlya minor
verbal change and the change caused
by Mr.. Fry's amendment already
noted
Adjourned at 6:3j p. u.
House OF Representative.
Under the call of States II number OF
bills were introduced and referred
among them the following:
BY Mr.. Springer: Proposing con
amendment changing the
time for the assembling of Congress to
the first Wednesday of January Of each
wear.
BY Mr.. LAWYER: A resolution direct
ing the Committee on Naval Affairs to
inquire into the expediency of imme-
liately appropriating $50, 900, 900, to
be expended, under the direction OF the
Secretary Of the Navy, for the con
equipment, and armament Of
such new vessels OF war a. may be
lnnun.I uagpcsarv